Best Bait for Finding Crappie

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When fishing a new lake for crappie, the first and biggest question is where to begin? This can be answered by taking a look at a lake map and eliminating water that likely holds no fish. The second question is, what is the best bait for finding crappie. And to that question, I have the answer: a 1/16 ounce jig with a Charlie Brewer Slider.

Why It Works

All lakes have minnows. While other forage may be present in any given body of water, with a few exceptions, minnows are a staple for crappie in nearly all inland lakes in North America. A jig rigged with a Charlie Brewer Slider, when fished properly, does the best job of imitating minnows, in my 40+ years of fishing experience.

How to Fish This Bait

There are two very effective ways to use this bait. First, it can be slow-trolled. This can be done by long line trolling the jig behind the boat. But for crappie, the more common method I like to use is spider rigging.

Another way to use this bait, when fishing around structure is to cast it and retrieve it. Here is how I do it.

First, cast the jig out to the location you are checking for fish. Then let the jig drop to the depth you believe them to be. Now retrieve the bait back to you by simply giving the rod a slow lift while reeling in very slowly in an effort to hold the bait at the same depth the entire way through the retrieve. This is KEY! In doing so, you can methodically check multiple depths by letting the bait fall a little more with each cast by counting it down.

Favorite Color Patterns

In the clear waters of the Great Lakes Region, I prefer to use the baby bass pattern with a chartreuse tail. This is hands-down the most productive pattern for me. Other colors that produce are orange/chartreuse, chartreuse, and white. Good luck out there!